CRCSD wanted to pass along this message that we shared with our Franklin Middle School Community.

Dear Franklin Community,

I wanted to take a moment to inform you of two separate incidents that occurred at school today, which caused us to activate our HOLD Safety Protocol.

The first incident involved a student who became upset in class. Staff members moved the student into the hallway to help calm and de-escalate the situation. Unfortunately, the student proceeded to confront and attack one of the staff members. The student then punched a window, causing injury to their hand and arm. Paramedics were immediately called to assist with the injuries, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department (CRPD) arrived to investigate the situation.

The second incident involved two students who were fighting in the hallways. We once again initiated our school’s HOLD Safety Protocol, and staff worked quickly to break up the altercation. However, during the fight one of the students hit the front of a display case breaking the glass and injuring their hand. Paramedics were called to assist with the injuries, and the CRPD arrived to investigate the situation.

While I understand that seeing emergency personnel at school and hearing of these incidents can be concerning, I want to assure you that all other students were safe and remained in their classrooms as part of the HOLD Safety Protocol. However, your child may have heard some of the commotion in the halls or noticed the police and ambulance outside the school. I want to reiterate that the situation was handled swiftly, and the safety of other students was never compromised.
Please know that we take these situations very seriously. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. In addition, this is a great time to remind your student about making good choices and how their choices can impact others around them. It is important for Franklin families to know that we are committed to rebuilding a positive culture in which all of our students, staff, and families can thrive. Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work together to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office directly.

Jay Richardson, Principal
Franklin Middle School